Apparatus for producing perforated statistical records and the like



Feb. 18, 1941. D. BROIDO 2,232,652

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PERFORAIED STATISTICAL RECORDS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 10, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l Arum/w y Feb. 18,1941. DBRQIDQ 2,232,652

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PERFORATED STATISTICAL RECORDS AND THE LIKE Filed 00.17. 10, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PERFOBATED STATISTICAL RECORDS AND THE LIKE Daniel Breidc, London, England Applicationoctober 10, 1938, Serial No. 234,286 In Great Britain October 29, 1937 14 Claims. (01. 164-112) This invention relates to apparatus for producing perforated statistical records, control screens and the like, more particularly records and screens such as described in the specification to my pending: applications, Serial Nos. 144,022 and In the known records of the Hollerith dr'Powers type, each number comprising one or more digits is represented by one or more perforations or slots arranged two-dimensionally, i. e. the record is divid'edinto vertical digit areas which are sub-divided into horizontal numeral areas.

Unlike this arrangement, the slots'in the records described in the specification referred to above are arranged single-dimensionally, all slots representing oneitem being positioned along' one line.

These last records may be of rectangular, circular, or part circular, such as sectoral, outline,

or they may be of cylindrical or part cylindrical form.

The object of this-invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to perforate. or punch single dimensional records in which each value-of each denomination is recorded by punching a single area reserved for this value on the card.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate this invention Figure 1 is a plan of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure'Z is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section on line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view on line III-III of Figure 4 of a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a plan, partly in section, of the emsediment shown in Figure 3, and,

Figurefi is a section on line V--V of Figure 4. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, an apparatus for punching single-dimensional records or control screens comprises a conical platen I provided with a cover or surface of hard rubber or other" suitable material, vwhich may be substituted, said platen being secured upon a shaft 2 mounted at each end in bearings 3 and 4 provided on a carriage'member 5 at such an angle that the front portionof the platen! is parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe carriage, said carriage being slidably mounted on a bed tsecured to a main frame 1. A series of punching hammers 8 are rockably mounted on a shaft 9 secured to the main frame 1, the lower ends-of each of said hammers beingprovi'ded with apin' l0 adapted to engage and slide within anincli-ned'slot H formedadjacent the inner end oi ea'ch of a series of levers-or keys l2 ara shaft l4 also secured to the main frame Lsaid keys being maintained in an approximately level position by means of suitably disposed springs l5.

The'carriage 5 is provided with a stop member i6 adapted to coact with a series of stops I adjustably mounted on a shaft it, said stops being adapted to be released in turn by a release lever is pivotally mounted at 20 on the carriage 5, said lever being provided with a release bar 21 extending thefull length of the carriage. The car- 15' riage is'drawn against thestops IT by a spring loaded wire or tape 22 in the manner of a typewriter carriage.

A record blank of paper or other suitable mate'- rial is placed in the apparatus and maintained 26 against the platen by means (not illustrated) also similar to those usually employed on a typewriter, and on depressing a key 12 the correspondinghammer 8 is caused to swing forward against the platen I and punch' a slotin the 25 record. When the pin H) on the lower endof the hammer reaches the lower end of the-slot H in the key, the spring l3 connected between the hammer and key causes the hammer toswing H backwards, thereby clearing the record, but the 30' key continues its downward movement until a projection thereontouches the said release bar'2l andcauses the release lever iito disengage the adjustable stop H with which the stop member 15 r on the carriage 5' happens to be coacting', thereby 35 permitting the carriage to move against the next Stop. This operation is repeated until all the digits of the number are punched; thereupon the carriage is'moved back to its original position and the"plate'n turned a certain amount again in the manner, and bythe means; usually employed on typewriters, such as by the bellcrank-lever 23 en gaging a toothed Wheel 24 on the axle of the platen, the record'being thereby moved into'the next working position.

' The'nurnber of keys is made equal to the highestmimber of numerals in, or possible values of, any 'or'ie'denomination'; for instance, tenkeys' are required'for the decimal system or twelve keys for pennies etc. I

2 An apparatus according to this invention adapted to perforate records of rectangular shape wouldbe' provided with a cylindrical-piaten dis posed with its axis parallel to the carriage.

According to'another: embodiment .of this in- {55" vention, illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, a key 25 and a series of hammers 26 are provided for each denomination, one hammer for each numeral or possible value of the denomination in question. Each key 25 is adapted to slide horizontally in bearings 21, 28 in a fixed frame or casing 29, and is furnished on its top and bottom edges with rack teeth 33, 3!, the upper rack being adapted to mesh with a pinion wheel 32 secured to an indicator wheel 33, mounted on a shaft 33*, said indicator wheel being provided with numerals around its periphery, so that the position of each key 25 is indicated by the particular numeral on the corresponding indicating wheel which is displayed through a suitable slot 34 in the casing 29. The lower rack 3| of each key is adapted to mesh with a pinion 35 rigidly fixed to a series of selector discs 36 by means of rivets 31. Said discs, mounted on the shaft 33, are eachfurnished with a circumferential notch 38, said notches being circumferentially displaced with re spect to each other. The arrangement is such that a numeral (five for instance) on the indicating wheel 33 is displayed through the window 34 when the notch on the fifth selector disc 35 is turned downwards towards a locking arm 39 on a punching hammer 26, one of which is provided for each selector disc 38. Ihe punching hammers 26 are rockably mounted upon a fixed shaft 40, and are drawn by individual springs 4| downwardly against a retaining bar 42 carried at each end upon bracket members 43, rockably mounted on the fixed shaft 40, and maintained in an elevated position by a string spring 44, one end of which is attached to a downwardly extending member 45 of one of the bracket members 43, the lower end of which is bent at right angles and extends outwards through an arcuate slot 45 in the casing 29 to form an operating handle 41; the free end of each bracket member 43 is furnished with a gear segment 43, and a guillotine blade 49 is carried between extensions from said free ends.

The free ends of the hammers 26 are arranged above a platen 5|] secured to a base plate 5|, a recess 52 being provided in said platen where each of the hammers are adapted to strike same, and said recesses may be filled with interchangeable pieces of suitable material. A reel of paper 53 is mounted on a shaft 54, supported in brackets 55, and the paper strip 56, pulled from the reel 53, is supported on the surface of the platen 50, and is maintained in close contact with said surface by means of a roller 51 and an india-rubber feed roller 58, secured on the shaft 59, said feed roller 58 coacting with a roller 60 disposed on the underside of the paper strip 56. A pinion 6|, adapted to mesh withthe gear segment 48, is rotatably mounted on the shaft 59. A plate 62 is rigidly secured to the pinion 6|, and a pawl 63 is pivotally mounted on a pin carried by said plate, said pawl being maintained in engagement with a ratchet wheel 65 rigidly mounted in the shaft 59 by a spring 66.

In the operation of the machine as above described, when it is desired to punch a line of slots representing a number, the keys 25 are pushed inwardly until the desired digits appear behind the slot 34, and then the operating handle 41 is pulled from against the stop 61 towards and against the stop 68, causing the bracket members 43 and the retaining bar 42 to descend and release the hammers 26. Only that one selected hammer in each denomination group which has its locking arm 39 below the notch 38 in its selector disc 36 can, however, move, and these hammers therefore descend and simultaneously punch a line of perforations in the record or paper strip 56. Downward movement of the bracket members 43 also causes the guillotine blade 49 to descend and cut off a previously punched record, which is allowed to fall out through a suitable opening 69 in the casing. When the handle 41 is released, the bracket members 43 are raised by the spring 44, and, by means of the gear segments 48, pinions 6|, ratchet 65 and pawl 63 and feed roller 58 and coacting roller 60, the paper is moved to expose a fresh unperforated portion for the next operation. At the same time the retaining bar 42 lifts the hammers 26 into their original positions.

The, embodiment last described enables the number which is to be represented by a punched record to be set up on the indicating wheels and verified before punching is effected, thereby minimizing the possibility of punching an incorrect record.

It will be understood that the guillotine blade may be made easily removable, or thrown out of action, should it be desired to punch continuous records.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for producing statistical records, control screens, and the like, in combination, a platen on which the blank record is to be laid, means to step the platen transversely to present denominational groups of digit areas, a plurality of punching members, all having similarly shaped punching heads and disposed side by side in a single line transversely of the rec- 0rd blank, key-operated means for selectively operating the punching members to perforate the record with indentically shaped perforations in relevant digital positions stepped in denominational groups across the record blank, each digital value of each denomination being recorded by punching a single digital area reserved for this digital value on the card, so that the recorded information is determined by the relative positions of the perforations in a single line across the record, and means for longitudinally linestepping the record relatively to the punching members.

2. In apparatus according to claim 1, a carriage on which the platen is rotatably mounted, a bed on which the carriage is slidably carried, means for constantly urging the carriage to move across the bed in one direction, adjustable stops provided to stop movement of the carriage at predetermined places, key means for selectively operating the punching members, each key being operatively associated with a single punching member, means associated with the keys for releasing one of said stops when a key is operated, and means for rotating the platen to bring the record into successive working positions.

3. In apparatus according to claim 1, key means for selecting the punching members to be operated, each key being operatively associated with a plurality of punching members, of which only one at a time is to be released.

4. In apparatus according to claim 1 a plurality of groups of punching members, means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position, key means for selecting for release not more than one punching member of each group, and releasing means for releasing said punching members selected for release.

5. In apparatus according to claim '1, a plurality of groups of punching membera'mea'ns for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position, a separate key means associated with each group of punching members for selecting for release not more than one punching member of each group, indicating means operatively associated with each key means for indicating the punching member selected for release, and means for releasing said punching members selected for release.

6. In apparatus according to claim 1, a plurality of groups of punching members, means for normally holding thepunching members in inoperative position, a separate key means associated with each group of punching members for selecting for release not more than one punching member of each group, indicatingmeans operatively associated with each key means for indicating the punching member selected for release, and means for releasing said punching members selected for release comprising a group of notched discs operatively associated with each key means, each notched disc .of a group co-operating with a punching member of a corresponding group of punching members.

7. In apparatus according to claim 1 a plurality oi groups of punching members, means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position, a separate slidable key associated with each group of punching members for selecting for release not more than one punching member of each group, an indicating drum arranged to be rotated by the sliding movement of the key to indicate through a window the punching member selected for release, means for releasing the punching member selected for release, the means for normally holding'the punching members in inoperative position and the re leasing means comprising a group of notched discs operatively associated with each slidable key, each notched disc of a group co-operating with a punching member of a corresponding group of punching members and arranged rel-atively thereto so that'in the inoperative position the said punching member is held against movement by cont-act with the unnotched periphery of the disc, whilst in the operative position, after selection by the key, movement of the said punching member is permitted by reason of the notch in the'disc.

8. Inapparatus according to claim 1 a plurality of groups of punching members, means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position, a separate slidable key associated with each group of punching members for selecting .for release not more than one punching member of each group, an indicating drum arranged to be rotated by the sliding movement of the said key to indicate through a window the punching member selected for release, releasing means for releasing the punching member selected for release, the means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position and the releasing means comprising, a group of notched discs operatively associated with each slidable key, each notched disc of a group oo-operating with a punching member of a corresponding group of punching members and arranged relatively thereto so that in the inoperative position the punching member is helld against movement by contact with the unnotched periphery of the disc, whilst in the operative position, after selection by the key, movement of the said punching member is permitted by reason of the notch in the disc, means for preventing operation of the selected punching members until such time as all the punching members to be operated for one line of the record have been selected, means for ensuring a simultaneous operation of all the selected punching members in one line and for returning the punching members to the initial position after they have been operated, and means for feeding forward the record after each stroke of the punching members.

9. in apparatus according to claim 1 a pluralityof groups of punching members, means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position, a separate slidable key associated with each group of punching members for selecting Ior'release not more than one punching member of each group, an indicating drum arranged to be rotated by the sliding movement of the said key .to indicate through a window the punching member selected for release, releasing means for releasing the punching member selected for release, the means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position and the releasing means comprising a group of notched discs operatively associated with each slidable key, each notched disc of a group (yo-operating with a punching member of a corresponding group of punching members and arranged relatively theretoso that in the inoperative position the punching member is held against movement by contact with the unnotched periphery of the disc, whilst in the operative position, after selection by the key, movement of the said punching member is permitted by reason of the notch in the disc, means for preventing operation of the selected punching members until such time as all the punching members to be operated for one line of the record have been selected, said means com prising a retaining bar to support the punching members and pivotally mounted side brackets between which the retaining bar is carried, means for ensuring simultaneous operation of all the selected punching members in one line and for returning the punching members to the initial position after they have been operated, the said means comprising a handle connected to the side brackets and adapted on operation .to swing the side brackets around their pivotal connections, and thereby to lower and raise the retaining bar, and means for feeding forward the record after each stroke of the punching members.

10. In apparatus according to claim 1 a plurality of groups of punching members, means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position, a separate slidable key associated with each group of punching members for selecting for release not more than one punching member of each group, an indicating drum arranged to be rotated by the sliding movement of the key to indicate through a window the punching member selected for release, means for releasing'the punching member selected for release, the means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position and the releasing means comprising a group of notched discs operatively associated with each slidable key, each notched disc of a group co-operating with a punching member of a corresponding group of punching members and arranged relatively thereto so that in the inoperative position the punching member is held against movement by contact with the unnotched periphery of the disc, whilst in the operative position, after selection by the key, movement of the said punching member is permitted by reason of the notch in the disc, means for preventing operation of the selected punching members until such time as all the punching members to be operated for one line of the record have been selected, said means comprising an electro-magnet acting on the said punching members and means for intermittently energising and deenergising said electro-magnet whereby the selected punching members are simultaneously operated and retracted after operation, and means for feeding forward the record after each stroke of the punching members.

11. In apparatus according to claim 1 a web of material constituting the blank record, a plurality of groups of punching members, means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position, a separate slidable key associated with each group of punching members for selecting for release not more than one punching member of each group, an indicating drum arranged to be rotated by the sliding movement of the key to indicate through a window the punching member selected for release, means for releasing the punching member selected for release, the means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position and the releasing means comprising a group of notched discs operatively associated with each slidable key, each notched disc of a group co-operating with a punching member of a corresponding group of punching members-and arranged rela tively thereto so that in the inoperative position the punching member is held against movement by contact with the unnotched periphery of the disc, whilst in the operative position, after selection by the key, movement of the said punching member is permitted by reason of the notch in the disc, means for preventing operation of the selected punching members until such time as all the punching members to be operated for one line of the record have been selected, means for ensuring simultaneous operation of all the selected punching members in one line and for returning the punching members to the initial position after they have been operated, and means for feeding forward the web of material constituting the blank record, said means comprising a feed roller, a roller coacting with the feed roller, and a ratchet mechanism for actuating the feed roller during the return stroke of the punching members.

12. In apparatus according to claim 1 a web of material constituting the blank record, a plurality of groups of punching members, means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position, a separate slidable key associated with each group of punching members for selecting for release not more than one punching member of each group, an indicating drum arranged to be rotated by the sliding movement of the key to indicate through a window the punching member selected for release, means for releasing the punching member selected for release, the means for normally holding the punching members in inoperative position and the releasing means comprising a group of notched discs operatively associated with each slidable key, each notched disc of a group co-operating with a punching member of a corresponding group of punching members and arranged relatively thereto so that in the inoperative position the punching member is held against movement by contact with theunnotched periphery of the disc, whilst in the operative position, after selection by the key, movement of the said punching member is permitted by reason of the notch in the disc, means for preventing operation of the selected punching members until such time as all the punching members to be operated for one line'of the record have been selected, said means comprising a retaining bar to support the punching members, and pivotally mounted side brackets between which the retaining bar is carried, means for ensuring simultaneous operation of all the selected punching members in one line and for returning the punching members to the starting position after they have been operated comprising a handle connected to the side brackets and adapted in operation to swing the side brackets around their pivotal connections and thereby to lower and raise the retaining bar, and a guillotine carried on the side brackets adapted to sever each record from the web of material when the next succeeding record is punched.

13. In apparatus for producing statistical records, control screens, and the like, in combination, a platen on which the blank record is to be laid, means to step the platen transversely to present denominational groups of digit areas, a plurality of punching members, all having similarly shaped punching heads and disposed side by side in a single line transversely of the record blank, and key-operated means for selectively operating the punching members to perforate the record with identically shaped perforations in relevant digital positions stepped in denominational groups across the record blank, each digital value of the full denominational sequence of digits of each denomination being recorded by punching a single digital area reserved for this digital value on the card, so that the recorded information is determined by the relative positions of the perforations in a single line across the record.

14. In apparatus for producing statistical records, control screens and the like, in combination, a platen on which the blank record is to be laid, means to step the platen transversely to present denominational groups of digit areas, a plurality of punching members, all having similarly shaped punching heads and disposed side by side in a single line transversely of the record blank, and key-operated means for selectively operating the punching members to perforate the record with identically shaped perforations in a relevant digital positions stepped in denominational groups across the record blank, each digital value of the full denominational sequence of digits of each denomination being recorded by punching a single digital area reserved for this digital value on the card, so that the recorded information is determined by the relative positions of the perforations in a single line across the record, and means for longitudinally linestepping the record relatively to the punching members.

DANIEL BROIDO. 

